Okay, so I’d been hearing whispers about this place in Umbria, right in Norcia. Palazzo Seneca. People said it was something special, especially after the earthquake troubles the town had. I needed a break, a change of scenery, so I thought, let’s check it out. Booked a couple of nights, didn’t really know what to expect beyond some nice pictures online.
Getting There and First Look
Driving into Norcia was interesting. You can still see the scars on the town, but also the effort being put into rebuilding. Found the hotel right there on the main square, pretty easy. It looks quite imposing, you know, proper old stone building. Stepped inside, and it felt… calm. Quiet. The check-in was straightforward, no drama. They were polite, got me sorted quickly. Gave me the key, pointed me towards the elevator.
The Room and The Place
My room was up on one of the higher floors. It wasn’t huge, but it was really nicely done. Felt solid, you know? Good materials, comfortable bed, decent bathroom. Had that mix of old structure with modern comforts that you hope for but don’t always get. Everything worked. That’s always a plus.
I spent a bit of time just wandering around the hotel itself. They’ve got these common areas, lounges with fireplaces. Felt very classic, refined, but not stuffy. You could actually sit there and relax. Saw they had a spa downstairs, looked nice, but I didn’t end up using it. Maybe next time. The whole place had a sort of quiet dignity about it.
What I Did
Mostly, I just took it easy. That was the point, right?
- Walked around Norcia quite a bit. It’s small, easy to get around. Popped into some shops selling local stuff, especially the meats and cheeses Norcia is famous for.
- Sat in the hotel lounge, read a book. It was peaceful.
- Ate at their restaurant, Vespasia, one evening. That was quite the experience. Fancy food, very well presented. Tasted great too. It’s definitely more high-end dining, not just your average hotel restaurant.
- Had breakfast there too each morning. Good spread, quality stuff.
Staff and Leaving
The staff were professional. Always polite, always helpful if you asked for something, but they kind of kept to themselves otherwise. Which I actually prefer sometimes. No forced chit-chat.
Checking out was as smooth as checking in. Settled the bill, handed back the key. Felt genuinely rested when I left, which isn’t always the case after a hotel stay. It felt like a proper escape. Driving away, I felt good about the choice. It was a solid, quality experience in a town that’s clearly got a lot of heart. Yeah, I’d probably go back.
